Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, Archaeological site in Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan
The Bamiyan Valley is an archaeological area with Buddhist monasteries, caves with painted walls, and large niches carved into cliff faces where enormous Buddha statues once stood. The valley spans several separate locations containing remains of structures spanning thousands of years.
The valley was an important Buddhist site from the 2nd to 9th century and lay on a major route for trade between east and west. In the 13th century, Mongol forces under Genghis Khan destroyed parts of this region, leaving marks still visible today.
The artworks and structures throughout the valley reflect influences from Persia, India, and the Hellenistic world, visible in the painted decorations and carved stonework. These different styles blend together in the caves and monastery remains that dot the landscape.
Accessing the site requires special permits and the use of local transportation, as the UNESCO World Heritage site consists of eight different areas spread across the valley. It is important to check conditions and requirements before visiting, since accessibility varies depending on the season and local circumstances.
One section of the area is Shahr-i Ghulghulah, a mountain fortress whose ruins date to its destruction by Mongol attacks in the 13th century. The remains of this fortress reveal a different chapter from the Buddhist past and offer insight into the region's later settlement.
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